During the '80s, he cut four albums and nine singles that made the R&B charts. His up-tempo tracks could sound something like a more mainstream Prince, though he tread far closer to the urban contemporary mainstream on his ballads.
"The Gigolo" made number five in 1982, and over the next few years he had some up-tempo and ballad follow-ups. "I'm Freaky," which was reminiscent of "Gigolo," was the best of these; "Lovelite" was the most successful.
Urban wedding party-goers are also very familiar with the singer's beautiful remake of Stevie Wonder's classic "You and I'', a frequently requested song at many weddings.
In 2007, he returned with the ballad-heavy F1RST, issued digitally through the Headstorm label with plans for a CD version.
I'm Freaky
O'Bryan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So sweet, so young
So sweet, so young
So sweet, so young
So sweet, so young
So sweet, so young
So sweet, so young
Just because I am shy
Doesn't mean that I'm the guy for you
It's just my game
I would like to be
What you think you say you need someday
And lose my shame
I know you're wonderin' why
I don't treat you like the others do
I'm not the same
Ten, got ten on me
There's some things you're not supposed to see
What's your name
[Chorus]
I'm telling you baby
You're much too young to play
But if you do baby
There's somethin' I just got to say
I'm freaky
I'm just so freaky
I'm freaky
I'm just so freaky
Maybe we should wait
'Til we have another date next week
Don't know why
You know I'm here from out of town
And I won't be hangin' 'round too long
It's goodbye
Now I know you're still in school
And you think I'm kind of cool
I need your apple pie
I'm really hot for you
But I don't want you to do no wrong
My, oh, my, oh...
[Chorus]
I'm freaky
I-I-I'm freaky
Oh, I'm freaky
I'm just so freaky, hey hey hey
I'm just so freaky
Oh, I'm freaky
I'm just so freaky
Oh, oh, oh
I-I-I
I'm just so freaky, freaky, freaky
Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa
I-I'm just so freaky
The lyrics of "I'm Freaky" by O'Bryan bring out the idea of how young people crave to experience love and express themselves sexually. The verses convey the idea of a man approaching a young girl, acknowledging the age difference, and how he tries to get her attention by showing her his true self regardless of being perceived as shy or different. The man is open about his intentions and wants the girl to know that he is attracted to her, but he also cautions her that she's young, and they should wait until they have another date.
The chorus, "I'm telling you baby, you're much too young to play, but if you do baby, there's somethin' I just got to say. I'm freaky, I'm just so freaky" highlights the man's appetite for sex and his openness to indulging in it with the young girl. The lyrics bring out the idea of how easily influenced young girls can be and how some older men prey on them.
The lyrics of "I'm Freaky" is an example of how society has normalized the objectification of young girls and the need to educate society on the dangers of engaging in sexual activity with minors.
Line by Line Meaning
So sweet, so young
The singer is admiring the youthfulness of someone and repeats the phrase to emphasize their impression.
Just because I am shy
Doesn't mean that I'm the guy for you
It's just my game
I would like to be
What you think you say you need someday
And lose my shame
The singer is acknowledging that they are shy but clarifying that it doesn't define their entire personality, and they hope to one day become what the other person wants. They want to shed their insecurity and be more confident in themselves.
I know you're wonderin' why
I don't treat you like the others do
I'm not the same
Ten, got ten on me
There's some things you're not supposed to see
What's your name
The singer is aware that they are not treating the other person the same way that others do and revealing that they have something different to offer. They are insinuating that there is an element of danger around them, and that there are things that the other person is not allowed to see or participate in. They end the section with a flirty question to learn the other's name.
I'm telling you baby
You're much too young to play
But if you do baby
There's somethin' I just got to say
The singer is warning the other person that they are too young to engage in whatever the singer is hinting at but still leaving the door open for a conversation about it later. They suggest that they have something to tell the other person if they decide to go down that path despite the warning.
Maybe we should wait
'Til we have another date next week
Don't know why
You know I'm here from out of town
And I won't be hangin' 'round too long
It's goodbye
The singer suggests that it may be better to wait until another date to act on their attraction since they are from out of town and won't be around for long. They conclude that it may be best to say goodbye for now.
Now I know you're still in school
And you think I'm kind of cool
I need your apple pie
I'm really hot for you
But I don't want you to do no wrong
My, oh, my, oh...
The singer acknowledges that the other person is still in school and that they are interested in them romantically. They use a metaphor of wanting their 'apple pie' to express their attraction. However, they don't want the other person to do anything wrong, which implies that the situation would be morally or legally questionable. They end the section with an exclamation of their emotions.
I'm freaky
I'm just so freaky
The singer is bluntly admitting that they are sexually unconventional or kinkier than the norm.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind